By Keadan Weiler
You may have seen a large shepherd-type dog on campus wearing a vest and stopped yourself from petting him. Moose is one dog wearing a vest whose handler wants you to pet him — he’s a therapy dog.
Unlike service dogs who need to be left alone to do their job, part of Moose’s job is for students to interact with and pet him freely. His handler, Ashlea Simons, says of Moose: “He is here for other people. He is not here for me.” Simons and Moose met in August of 2021, she says he is “German Shepherd, Husky, Doberman, Lab and 100% Goodboy!”
Simons is an administrative specialist with the Public Safety Department at Lane Community College. Simons told The Torch that she started in public safety while pursuing a criminal justice degree during her last year of college. She got an internship that turned into a job opportunity as an officer before joining the administrative side of things.
Simons said she was inspired to be a public servant. She had a rough childhood, and criminal justice was a step in the right direction. Additionally, Simons had dreams of being an animal control officer, and this allowed her to pursue that. However, Simons had a change of heart. She said, “ I never actually pursued that because I really enjoy working here and doing what I do.” Simons told the Torch that she’s been with LCC Public Safety for eight years.
Simons was happy to talk about how Moose became a therapy dog. Moose always had a good temperament and loved people. She had heard of therapy dogs before and decided to make Moose a therapy dog as soon as possible. She looked into a local group called F.E.T.C.H. (Friends Eager To Come Help), which is certified through the National Alliance of Therapy Dogs to test, observe, and get people certified for therapy teams.
Simons specifically asked The Torch to mention Betty Flinn. Simons said that Flinn is one of the tester/observers with F.E.T.C.H. who facilitates dogs becoming therapy animals. Simons says, “If your dog has a great temperament, doesn’t jump on people or lick faces, the process is easier than you might think!” She adds that F.E.T.C.H. is “very friendly and always willing to have more therapy teams!”
Simons and Moose walk around campus hitting several departments. Simons will specifically go to classrooms who email her asking for a visit. Simons and Moose try to see as many people as possible so that any willing student can interact with Moose.
Simons said that sometimes she gets a “weird side eye” from people who can’t tell whether Moose is a service dog. Simons said that if you see Moose, please come and say “Hi.” Moose is happy to say hello to anyone.
Moose has his birthday on Feb. 22, celebrating 5 years of life.
Anyone who has questions about Moose, or would like to schedule a visit can email Simons for a visit at simonsa@lanecc.edu, call 541-463-5558 or find them at the Public Safety Office in Building 12. To learn more about F.E.T.C.H. go to FETCH Therapy Dogs (fetchtherapydogs.org).
Have a staff or faculty member you think we should feature? Reach out to us at torcheditor@lanecc.edu
